Omar Khalid
Plastic bracelets have been popular since the 1980s, with silicone wristbands becoming popular in 2004 with the Livestrong yellow band to raise awareness of cancer. They are often used to demonstrate the wearer's support for a cause or charitable organization. Plastic bracelets have also been called sex bracelets due to a widespread urban legend that linked them to a supposed sex game. Plastic bracelets have multiple names, including gimp, scoubidou, lanyard, scoubi, scoobie, boondoggle, and rex-lace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Gimp, Moondoggle, Scoubidou, Lanyard, Scoubi, Scoobie, Boondoggle, Rex-lace, Jelly bracelets, Gel bands, Baller bands, Baller ID bands, Rubber wristbands, Rubber bangles, Awareness bracelets, Sex bracelets, Shag bands, Pulseiras do sexo |
| Material | Silicone, Rubber |
| Shape | Rectangular, Circular |
| Properties | Stretchable, Waterproof, Low toxicity, Shock-resistant, Wear-resistant, Friction-resistant, Pressure-resistant |
| Use | Accessories, Fundraising, Awareness campaigns, Friendship bands, Support for causes or charitable organizations, Advertising relationship status |
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What You'll Learn
'Gimp' bracelets
Gimp bracelets are plastic bracelets made from plastic lace or lacing cord. They are also known as friendship bracelets and were popular in the 1990s. People would braid them into bracelets and add beads. Gimp bracelets are easy to make and can be created using a variety of patterns and colours. They are a fun summer project and a great reminder of childhood.
Gimp bracelets are made by weaving plastic lace or cord in and out. The most important thing to remember is to keep the lace from twisting. The bracelet can be made using three pieces of lace or cord, two of which should be a little longer than the desired length of the bracelet, and the third should be twice as long as the other two. Another method involves cutting two pieces of lace or cord to the length of your arm span, tying a knot at the top, and then continuously pulling alternating loops through.
Gimp bracelets can be purchased as kits, which often include plastic lace or cord, key chains, lobster clasps, keyrings, and other accessories. These kits are available in a variety of colours and can be used to make bracelets, necklaces, and keychains. They are a fun way to stimulate imagination and improve hands-on ability.
The term "gimp" has been associated with plastic string since the 15th century, long before it became a slur used to describe people with physical disabilities. However, some people may still find the term offensive, and alternative names for the bracelets include "moondoggle", "scoubidou", "lanyard", "scoubi", "scoobie", "boondoggle", and "rex-lace".
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'Moondoggle' bracelets
Moondoggle bracelets, also known as gimp bracelets, are made from plastic cords that can be braided into bracelets. They were popular in the 1990s, especially among children who enjoyed braiding them into friendship bracelets and trading colours. The cords are neon, stretchy, flat, and can be braided with beads. While the term "gimp" has been used historically to describe a type of thread, it is now considered offensive as it is also used as an ableist slur and to describe bondage attire. As a result, some people prefer to use the term "moondoggle" instead.
Moondoggle bracelets are similar to gel bracelets (or jelly bracelets), which are stretchy wristbands made from silicone and often used as a fundraising tool for various causes. Silicone wristbands gained popularity in 2004 with the Livestrong yellow band, created by Nike to raise awareness and support for people with cancer. However, the Livestrong Foundation and its founder, Lance Armstrong, were later embroiled in controversy due to Armstrong's confession of doping during his cycling career. Despite this, silicone wristbands remain a popular tool for fundraising and demonstrating support for different causes.
In addition to their use in fundraising and awareness campaigns, gel bracelets were also the subject of a widespread urban legend in the early 2000s. Rumours suggested that wearing these bracelets implied a willingness to engage in various acts, from hugging to sexual intercourse, with the specific act determined by the bracelet's colour. These rumours led to the bracelets being dubbed "sex bracelets" and resulted in bans in some schools. Similar stories circulated in Brazil during the 2009-2010 summer season, where the bracelets were referred to as "pulseiras do sexo."
While moondoggle bracelets may not have the same fundraising or awareness-raising associations as gel bracelets, they hold a nostalgic value for those who grew up in the 1990s, braiding and trading these colourful plastic bracelets. They represent a fun and creative way to express oneself through jewellery, allowing for customisation with beads and different braiding techniques. Whether called gimp or moondoggle, these plastic bracelets hold a special place in the memories of many who cherished them as a beloved childhood accessory.
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'Sex' bracelets
In the 2000s, gel bracelets, also known as jelly bracelets, became popular among children and teens. These bracelets are made of silicone, are stretchy, and come in a variety of colours. While they were initially used as awareness bracelets to demonstrate support for a cause or charitable organization, they later became the subject of a widespread urban legend.
According to the urban legend, the jelly bracelets were dubbed "sex bracelets" because they were supposedly associated with various sexual acts. The colours of the bracelets were said to indicate the type of sexual act the wearer was willing to engage in with whoever pulled the bracelet from their wrist. For example, yellow might mean hugging, purple might mean kissing, red might mean a lap dance, blue might mean oral sex, and black might mean intercourse. This game was referred to as "snap."
The rumours about sex bracelets were prominent enough that some schools in the United States, such as Alachua Elementary School in Gainesville, Florida, banned the bracelets to avert disruption and inappropriate comments. Similar stories also circulated in Brazil during the 2009/2010 summer, where the bracelets were called "pulseiras do sexo." In one tragic incident, a 13-year-old girl in Brazil was raped by three teenage boys after one of them snatched the bracelet she was wearing. While folklorists and media reports have largely dismissed these stories as a moral panic, they have sparked concerns about the premature sexualization of young people and the potential impact on their understanding of consent and the importance of sexual relationships.
It is worth noting that the idea of using objects as "'sex coupons'" is not new. Similar stories circulated in the 1970s, where pull tabs from aluminium cans and labels from beer bottles were considered "sex coupons." However, the specific association of jelly bracelets with sexual meanings appears to be a more recent development.
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Awareness bracelets
Plastic bracelets have been used to raise awareness for various causes and have been used by organisations to garner support. These bracelets are also known as gel bracelets, jelly bracelets, or wristbands and are often made from silicone. They are stretchy and come in a variety of colours.
The Livestrong yellow band, created by Nike, is one of the most popular awareness bracelets. It was set up by American cyclist Lance Armstrong to raise awareness of cancer and approximately 80 million of these bracelets were sold. However, the bracelet became controversial due to Armstrong's confession to doping during his Tour de France career. As a result, he was stripped of his victories in 2012, and the foundation was renamed the Livestrong Foundation.
In the 1970s, similar rumours circulated about "sex coupons", which were supposed to be pull tabs from aluminium cans and labels from beer bottles. These were said to obligate any girl presented with one to sleep with the bearer. By the 1990s, these rumours shifted to include plastic items, including some worn as bracelets. These were dubbed "sex bracelets", with each colour supposedly indicating a different sexual act.
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Friendship bracelets
To make a friendship bracelet, you will need to cut pieces of floss or cord that are around 30 inches long. You can use two alternating colours or make each strand a different colour. First, create an overhand knot with your strands and attach it to a surface. Then, braid about three inches down from the knot. Once the braid is complete, make another overhand knot at the bottom. To create the ridged, woven look of a friendship bracelet, you will need to make lots of small knots. Decide on the order of your strands, which will determine the colour pattern of your rows. Take the first strand and pass it over and then behind the second strand. Pull the first strand up and towards the large knot while holding the second strand taut.
The number of strands you use will impact the difficulty of the bracelet and the final look. Higher numbers of strands can be harder to manage, and the bracelet may become warped. Blocking can help the bracelet lay straight. Additionally, you can make the bracelet thicker by adding more knots to each row.
Gelled bracelets, also known as jelly bracelets, are another type of bracelet that gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. These bracelets were made of silicone and came in various colours. They were sometimes used as "sex bracelets" according to rumours, with each colour supposedly indicating the wearer's willingness to engage in certain acts with whoever pulled the bracelet from their wrist. However, these rumours were largely dismissed as urban legends. Gel bracelets were also used as awareness bracelets, demonstrating the wearer's support for a cause or charitable organisation.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bracelets are called gel bracelets, jelly bracelets, rubber bracelets, or baller bands. They are also sometimes referred to as "sex bracelets" due to a widespread urban legend that the colour of the bracelet indicates the wearer's willingness to engage in various sexual acts.
Some examples of plastic bracelets include the Livestrong Bracelets, which were yellow and designed to raise awareness and support for people with cancer. There are also awareness bracelet wristbands that carry messages demonstrating the wearer's support of a cause or charitable organization.
Plastic bracelets are typically made from silicone or rubber. Silicone wristbands first became popular in 2004, while rubber bracelets were first manufactured in the 1980s.
